Mjeteconer Just perfect...

Jonah Abbott There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Tymon Sutton The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

Caryl It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

wes-connors English spinster teacher Bette Davis (as Lilly Moffat) arrives to open a school in a Welsh coal-mining village; she meets opposition from backwards-thinking locals like Nigel Bruce (as Squire), but perseveres. Ms. Davis' efforts are rewarded as pupil John Dall (as Morgan Evans) shows great academic promise. Davis thinks Mr. Dall has what it takes to attend Oxford University. But, breaking Dall free of his socio-economic status proves to be especially difficult, after he has a child-producing dalliance with seductive Joan Lorring (as Bessie Watty). Emlyn Williams' play "The Corn Is Green" makes an oddly impassionate translation to film; however, its mannered performances are notable. Perhaps inadvertently, Davis and Dall help by giving the impression something forbidden is simmering beneath the surface of their scripted relationship. ******* The Corn Is Green (3/29/45) Irving Rapper ~ Bette Davis, John Dall, Joan Lorring, Nigel Bruce

whpratt1 Enjoyed this great film classic from 1945 starring Betty Davis as Miss Lilly Moffat who inherits a home in Wales in a coal mining town where young men sing coming home from the mines full of coal dust and filth all over them. Lilly Moffat finds out how uneducated all the people are in the town and decides to start a school for everyone, even the coal miners. However, she discovers a young miner who has exceptional intelligence and has the ability to write, but his spelling is very poor. This young miner is Morgan Evans, (John Dall) who is given the opportunity to prepare for Oxford University but with many obstacles that enter into his life and distract him from a wonderful future. Bessie Watty, ( Joan Lorring ) is a wild young girl who flirts with Morgan Evans and they spend a night together that later on causes many problems for this determined young man to advance himself in higher institutions of learning. This is a great dramatic film with great acting by Nigel Bruce, (The Squire) and a wonderful actress Betty Davis. Enjoy a truly great Classic film from 1945.

nycritic By now, Bette Davis was having her pick of the type of movies she wanted to make and was known to sacrifice looks for parts that were meaty and difficult. Playing Lily Moffatt must have been a breeze for her, because it allowed her to eliminate all of her grandiose trademark gestures, act in a more paused, restrained way, and let the character's own energy flow out of her and thus dictate how it wanted to convey itself on screen.Acting against newcomer John Dall she comes off as an equal instead of the experiences actress she by then was: she allows Dall to express himself quite strongly, although at times his Welsh accent wavers in and out. It's too bad, however, that despite this strong debut, Oscar nominated for Supporting Actor, which was followed by ROPE and GUN CRAZY, Dall practically had nothing to hold onto when it came to movies and disappeared for the majority of the Fifties, returning only for SPARTACUS and a smattering of other films.It's too bad, but one of the many stories of brief careers that make their mark in one or more movies. Speaking of which, Joan Lorring was another actress who took her role and ran with it. For her acting she was awarded, like Dall, a Supporting Actress nomination, but was little seen after 1948. If it weren't for this footnote in her career she'd be all but a forgotten supporting actress; she manages to eclipse Davis in two scenes in the movie, and her exit is also memorable.Davis probably didn't get a nomination because by now it seemed she could phone in her emotions and play this kind of role in her sleep. Even so, it's a very good role, very understated, not very well remembered (except by her hardcore fans), and the last hit she would have because from 1946 on her movies would start losing money and be of varying quality, that is, until her great comeback as Margo Channing in ALL ABOUT EVE.

Night Must Fall (Spoilerific)PLOT/SUBJECT MATTER: Firstly, I'd like to comment on an issue in the film that some reviewers found objectionable – that of the suppression of the Welsh language and culture for British ideals and the English language. I think the film needs to be looked at as is – a commentary, a reaction to this. Knowing but a little about the Welsh way of life in those times, I cannot say for certain, but I think most people, especially the lower classes depicted in the film, had very little opportunity or means to fight the acquisition of the British culture, language and influence. This does NOT make the argument correct. It is merely a sad fact. The film's inhabitants represent a microcosm of this sector, and the audience is meant to see how they were forced into assimilating into a new way of life, regardless of whether or not they wanted to. This is what the film depicts, and it should be judged accordingly.PERFORMANCES: John Dall – Let me say that after watching this movie how surprised I am that John Dall (Morgan Evans) didn't become a major star. He is wonderful, and does a good job with the accent. Dall is another actor who conveys so much with just his eyes or a turn of the head. Watch his reactions to Bette Davis in their big confrontation scene – damn, he's good. Amazingly, The Corn is Green was his first film. I keep missing Gun Crazy whenever it's on, but can't wait to catch it someday. Dall was excellent in Rope as well. Too bad he only made a few films. Here he is formidable as coal miner turned Oxford-bound student, playing the unglamorous role with both subtlety and ease.Bette Davis – gives an outstanding performance here. Once you get past the makeup (she's supposed to be older than she was at the time), the feisty Davis can be seen. She plays the determined teacher with pure conviction. Another strong-willed role for her to sink her teeth into – Davis' forte.Joan Lorring – This was Lorring's first movie, and her reprehensible character, Bessie Watty (what a name!) is one you love to hate. The venom in her eyes! She makes the false, `Oh! I've hurt my knee!' and `I'm in a coma!' lines unforgettable. However, I did feel a little sorry for Bessie because of her mother's comments about never liking her. It's easy to see why she was so cold-hearted. Lorring is great in Three Strangers with Peter Lorre, Geraldine Fitzgerald and Sidney Greenstreet, too. Check that one out.CHARACTER ANALYSIS: Lilly Moffat (Bette Davis) is a flawed character indeed. She is a take-no-prisoners powerhouse. When need arises, she plays both the bull* artist (innocent, helpless woman-folk, to gain the squire's benefaction) and cautious, dangerous protector (threatening Bessie's life to shield Morgan from what she perceives as harm). She stands behind her convictions, rightly or wrongly, 100%. Miss Moffat's motives are often questionable. In the film, she explains them all away, yet this viewer was left with quite some mixed feelings about her character. This is a good thing, mind you, as the film as a whole certainly left a big impression on me due to several unresolved issues. That's one sign of a good movie.Morgan Evans (John Dall) is also a flawed character. Has he sold out, given in, given up, or done the best thing? The film seems to say his choice was correct (he did not waste his potential), yet it is up to the viewer to decide. Dall plays the whole spectrum of the character's conflicts so believably that it is easy to sympathize with Morgan, who is torn between two worlds and two completely different sets of ideals.Davis and Dall have great chemistry together, and all of their scenes ignite a spark. As Lilly and Morgan, it is great to watch two stubborn rams lock horns, then reach a difficult arrangement that perfectly suits no one. An appropriately bittersweet ending to a visceral film.Irving Rapper's direction is superb. The sweeping shots of the countryside and the miners going to and from work, the claustrophobic atmosphere of the tiny school, and the hostile environment of the local public house (great fight scene!) all lend the film a sense of realism.Nigel Bruce is very witty as the Squire (`the impertinence!'), and Mildred Dunnock and Rhys Williams as the hapless Miss Ronberry and Mr. Jones are also very good.One final note: I love the song the coal miners (and Bessie) sing, even though I do not understand the words. A very nice song – I would love to get my hands on a copy. Diolch and goodnight.